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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
Protestors carry placards as they participate in a demonstration against lawmakers' salary demands near parliament buildings in the capital Nairobi.

Every day, all over the world, ordinary people bear the cost of corruption. For example, in Zimbabwe, women giving birth in a local hospital have been charged $5 every time they scream as a penalty for raising false alarm, according to Transparency International.

Transparency International surveyed over 114,000 in 107 countries to check the prevalence of corruption in each of these nations and the results were startling.

More than one person in two thinks corruption has worsened in the last two years and they have seen no improvement in their countries over in that period.

How India fared

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 47 per cent

Percentage saying corruption has increased in past two years: 40 per cent

Most corrupt institution: Political parties (86 per cent voted)

Second most corrupt institution: Police (75 per cent voted)

GPP per capita: $1,489

In India, most people bribe to police followed by registry and permits and for land services.

Despite rampant corruption, 36 per cent of the people think that ordinary people can make a difference in the fight against corruption.

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
Burundian refugees entertain show goers at the annual Agricultural and Commercial show in Lusaka.

Zambia

Rank: 9

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 77 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 65 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 92 per cent

GDP per capita: $ 1,489

Residents of Zambia said that most of their institution are highly corrupt including military, education systems and judiciary.

In fact, even companies find it difficult administrative procedures in the company cumbersome and full of corruption.

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
An aerial view shows the central business district in Nigeria's commercial capital of Lagos.

Nigeria

Rank: 8

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 78 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 69 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 92 per cent

GDP per capita: $2,720

Nigerians pay most bribes to police. Almost 81 per cent said that they have bribed police in the last two years.

Corruption in other areas such as education, registry, and permit services and judiciary is much less compared to police.

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
A general view shows the Moscow International Business Center and the Mercury City Tower (R) after a ceremony to present it as Europe's tallest skyscraper in Moscow.

Russia

Rank: 7

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 79 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 92 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 89 per cent

GDP per capita: $17,709

The Russian think tank Indem estimates that bribes accounted for 20 per cent of Russia's GDP.

The overall amount of bribes in the Russian economy during the last decade skyrocketed from $33 billion to more than $400 billion per year in Putin's government, according to Georgy Satarov, former aide to Boris Yeltsin, states Wikipedia.

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
Lapacho trees, Paraguay's national tree, are seen in bloom against the backdrop of the city in Asuncion.

Paraguay

Rank: 6

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 79 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 58 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 82 per cent

GDP per capita: $6,136

It is due to corruption that economic development in Paraguay has taken a hit. Though the government has taken measures to control corruption in the country, they have not been effective.

Residents feel that political parties, parliament and legislature, and police are most corrupt institutions.

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
Hot air balloons fly over the Metropolitano park during the International Hot-Air Balloon Festival in Leon, in the Mexican state of Guanajuato.

Mexico

Rank: 5

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 79 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 87 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 90 per cent

GDP per capita: $15,312

Over 91 per cent of Mexicans feel that political parties are the most corrupt institutions compared to all others.

In fact, in 2012, The New York Times accused Walmart of bribing local government officials in Mexico, in order to expedite the process of awarding construction permits to build new supermarkets.

Most people have paid bribe to police and law officials in the past two years.

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
Harare Skyline.

Zimbabwe

Rank: 4

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 81 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 70 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 86 per cent

GDP per capita: $559

According to the residents of the country, corruption has increased dramatically in the country in the past two years.

Most corrupt institution is police department followed by political parties. This is one among the few countries where people feel that corruption in media is high, too.

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
Commuters travel in a Metrocable cabin in Caracas. The Caracas Metrocable cable car starts operations over 1.8 km (0.93 miles) with five stops through the upper slum districts.

Venezuela

Rank: 3

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 83 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 79 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 83 per cent

GDP per capita: $13,616

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
Mongolian horsemen pass a row of traditional tent houses known as ger near a horse race venue during the Naadam Festival at Khui Doloon Khudag village, some 35 kms (21 miles) outside the capital Ulan Bator.

Mongolia

Rank: 2

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 86 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 77 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 66 per cent

2012 GDP per capita: $5,372

Mongolia is one of the few countries where health services, judiciary, and public officials are more corrupt than police and politicians.

The highest bribes hence are paid for services such as medial, judicial and education.

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The most corrupt countries in the world

September 16, 2013 11:14 IST
Downtown Monrovia.

Liberia

Rank: 1

Percentage saying corruption very serious: 86 per cent

Percentage claiming public officials corrupt: 67 per cent

Percentage claiming police corrupt: 94 per cent

GDP per capita: $673

Liberians say that the legislatures and police are highly corrupt in the country. Liberia is among the few countries where bribery is rampant in education system.

Consequently, people pay more bribes for services such as education, police and judicial.

It’s also among the nations who population strongly feel that ordinary people can make a difference in the fight against corruption.